Obama Weathers Storm With Help From Marine, Umbrella

By Mary Bruce May 16, 2013

With a trio of scandals rocking the Obama administration, a dark cloud has descended over the White House in recent days.

Today, that clouds literally opened up on President Obama. But don't worry; there is sunshine at the end of this story.

Running 47 minutes later, President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan stepped out into the Rose Garden for a joint press conference as a light sprinkle began to fall.

Obama, however, was optimistic. "I'm sorry the weather's not fully cooperating with our lovely Rose Garden press conference but I think we'll be OK," he said in his opening remarks.

By the time they were ready to field questions, the drizzle had turned into steady rain. "Before we get started, let me just make sure that I'm a good host. Mr. Prime Minister, do you want an umbrella?" Obama asked. "Because we can arrange it, if you need it."

Erdogan declined. "This will be incentive for the press to ask concise questions and us to give concise answers," Obama quipped.

Moments later, Obama decided the rain had become too much. The president asked two nearby Marines to hold umbrellas for them, while the press was left to fend for themselves.

"I am going to go ahead and ask folks, why don't we get a couple of Marines - they're going to look good next to us," he joked. "I've got a change of suits, but I don't know about our prime minister."

The weather saga wasn't over though. Minutes later, the sun began to shine again and Obama, after ducking out from under the umbrella, sent the marines away.